Exploring a Storm Drain

In this video we explore a storm drain. We are in Manchester UK. Exploring the river Medlock we often see lots of side tunnels and overflows. One of these tunnels in particular caught our eye and our imagination. We could hear the roar of water coming from this tunnel. It was a storm drain. It was part of Manchester's underground sewer system. So as we are urban explorers Urbex we decided to go into the long dark tunnel that was a sewer storm drain. At the end you could see the sewer and the mechanism that controls the overflow. The penstock The brickwork in this victorian sewer was an amazing example of victorian architecture and engineering. Underground tunnels in Manchester at their finest.

[@macbuff81]

It's amazing to think that this was laid brick by brick and all by hand

[@MartinZero]

Yeah it was great to see

[@Leonard_Smith]

Might I suggest a pair of Marigolds ™ for your next trip?

[@MartinZero]

I think so to Leonard 😃

[@steuk6510]

I use the nitrile gloves for my sciences

[@PeterT1981]

Martin, I don’t believe you’ve ever met a brick or stone arch that you didn’t want to know better or understand the reason for its existence. You are the quintessential urban explorer. Rock on Sir!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Peter, yes I do get a bit curious 😃

[@AlisonBryen]

I wish I was brave enough to become an Urban Explorer. I have all the curiosity, I live in the West Midlands so plenty of opportunity, but I am far too nervous to go into these dark spaces.

[@paulyates2548]

When Martin describes a archway as Gorgeous you know he's full of passion for what he does

[@JenOnTheMove]

Just to add to the effect, one of our cats decided to use their tray while I was watching this - so I got full on smell-o-vision with this!

[@MarkJT1000]

🤣🤣🤣

[@l30njam3s]

My dog did an almighty fart while I was watching this, it was so loud it woke him up and scared him. Currently got all the windows open, but i know what you mean it just added to the experience 😂

[@MartinZero]

Now Cat shit I cannot do 😳

[@hamshackleton]

@@MartinZero - it can be rather ripe!

[@jenratcliffe7232]

@@MartinZero it's cat puke I struggle with. My little bugger waits until 3am. 🤮

[@7th.trumpet]

11:40 "Hello Georgie, you wanna balloon?."

[@MartinZero]

So it was you down there

[@uK8cvPAq]

Beat me to it!

[@7th.trumpet]

Haha, another great video Martin 👍🏻

[@WakoJacKooo]

Absolute amazed of how much graft and precision engineering there is in this video of that brick by brick 360 degree tunnel. Hats off to the unknown people out there that created this. 😮

[@ronniebiggs4026]

A Paper Mask ? Dude having been involved with tunnels and deep excavations The very least is a confined spaces course and proper breathing kit along with the gas detector. If methane is present you WILL die in seconds along with anyone else with you . I hope some of your watchers read this as it will be the best advice ever! Other wise thanks for your kind efforts and it was great to see the quality of the workmanship that the old bricklayers constructed.👍

[@markgohl2660]

I always thought it was hydrogen sulfide which kills you in seconds. Methane can be present in explosive quantities without been lethal until you accidentally light it then you may well die in seconds. Low oxygen is particularly bad as you can slowly drift off without noticing anything wrong. Gas detector covering all the different gases you are likely to encounter as there are different types of gas detector and at least mine escape kit or proper BA kit recommended.

[@TheChipmunk2008]

@@markgohl2660 Yes,. and the problem with H2S is it's really smelly in low concentration but you get immune to it FAST... so the concentration can build up without you knowing

[@mjh5437]

@@TheChipmunk2008 In the same way that so many people think their farts don`t stink because they`ve smelt so many of them.

[@MrLargePig]

Reminded me of the climax of "The Third Man", in the sewers of Vienna.

[@simontay4851]

When you reached the other end, the sewer tunnel reminded me of the scene from ghostbusters: "ITS A RIVER OF SLIME!" But in this one, its a river of shit.

[@MartinZero]

Yeah !!! 😆We called it the chocolate river 😃

[@mikeede49]

I've often heard the phrase " up sh*t creek without a paddle" and now thanks to the pair of you I've actually witnessed it on video. Cheers and thanks for that.

[@MartinZero]

No Problem, that was a deffo Shite creek

[@steverpcb]

That thing that looks like a lamp is a radar tide gauge to monitor the level of that Perfume River.

[@Jimbaloidatron]

I was wondering. Judging by the bum rag stuck right up on the gantry, there's been issues!

[@rogerbarton497]

Thanks, I was just about to ask!

[@WELLINGTON20]

It’s an ultrasonic receiver.

[@doobydoo88]

Ive worked in the sewers an drainage systems for 20 years all over the country, mostly NW around liverpool, runcorn etc, you get use to the smell really but if you think the shit smells bad wait till you step in a fat burg an then you will know about it, 100 times worse than any bodily waist. Great vid again man i lv the channel 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 great little trippy touch at the end there aswel

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much. Fatburg oh dear that sounds bad 😳

[@superiorbeing95]

Martin Zero, exploring where only rats dare to tread lol Your perseverance is impressive Martin.

[@semajdis]

I half expected something from an HP Lovecraft book to jump out of the water and drag one of you off.

[@Odin029]

*2001 a Sewer Odyssey* Stanley Kubrick would have been proud

[@MartinZero]

😃Brilliant. I love Stanley 😀👍

[@YellowPinkie]

Wear some gloves man! And a proper mask...

[@chrismatthews2579]

Agreed, paper masks might provide some protection from the mists, but they won't absorb gases. Acid gas cartridges would probably be best for sulphides.

[@MartinZero]

Its ok am ard 😃

[@YellowPinkie]

@@MartinZero but turdy fingers... :-)

[@bigjak7358]

Surprised you didn't see one rat

[@neilvincent5524]

I feel like the Director's Cut might have been enhanced with a brown filter, rather than red and blue

[@jumpnrun3368]

I just wanted to give a like, then realized I already did. Man your vids really help me go trough some tough times.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much. Glad they help and hope you get through it 👌

[@WolfmotorSport]

For one I will say, love The Mole desktop picture, very apt F.A.B.! Another great vid!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you , FAB 👍

[@stehaughton5074]

The engineering,im asume its victourian,is amazin & then the early 90s AciiiiiiiiiD,, great content again,

[@28YorkshireRose12]

Doctor Who did "The Green Death" - Martin does "The Pink Mist" - Manchester is doing "The Beige Poo". . . 👃🚽💩☣☠

[@Gappasaurus]

28YorkshireRose12 Ooooh, “The Green Death” was one of my favorites! 😎

[@28YorkshireRose12]

@@Gappasaurus Mine too! That and "The Daemons", "Sea Devils" and "Terror at Fang Rock" - amongst others. . . . .

[@Gappasaurus]

@28YorkshireRose12 Nice!!! oh, and the Talons of Weng-Chiang too! 😁

[@pwhitewick]

Nice one Martin. Would definitely love to see these mapped!

[@MartinZero]

Yes. So would I. i want to see where it goes

[@malcolmone1]

somewhere someone has all these maps of all these tunnels etc

[@alarmman2007]

why has your last video about the umist building been removed martin ?

[@alarmman2007]

plenty of likes but still no reply ? :(

[@MartinZero]

Sorry, technical problems

[@derek-press]

I recon Manchester has a brick for every human on the Earth

[@sputumtube]

Nope. That was like part of a Hellraiser film. Glad it was you down there and not me. Thanks for bringing me along from the comfort of my living room though.. ;)

[@t_ruth555]

Looks like a portal hole to Hollow Earth!. Love the nesting pigeon ❤💛💚

[@MartinZero]

It does. Yeah that Pigeon has a great place

[@viennacat1]

That was actually quite tension filled, on and on, the noise getting louder, I’m almost scared that a huge torrent of water comes hurtling down that tunnel towards you! Yet again what fine craftsmanship on the build of the tunnel, any idea on the age of this Martin?

[@jacksgirl14]

And off we go with our beloved and intrepid Martin into the very " Bowels " of Manchester, (Sorry couldn't resist that one) Im just the same, I just have to know what is there lol. A very good video as always Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Jane. Yeah we saw everyones bowels in that one 😀

[@calebfuller4713]

That was a really shitty pun... are you taking the piss?

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

More beautiful brickwork where nobody gets to see it . The main sewers were egg shaped so as the flow increased the sewer had more capacity. I had a bit of sick in me mouth when you touched that ladder with no gloves ok. 🤢😂🧱👍🏽

[@MartinZero]

Its ok I wiped my hands on my Sandwiches 👍

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Martin Zero oh jeez 🤮😂😂🧱👍🏽

[@kirkray6344]

I work for city of manchester, new hampshire usa for the sewer department and have been our largest cso 9' diameter pipe very similar to your vid. At the end i noticed you touching your nose and face hoped you washed before that or have a strong immune system. Wouldn't want to get waste water flu. Kirk

[@MartinZero]

Thanks for the comment Kirk. I didnt need to wash my hands. I had already had a bath that morning 😀👍

[@AdventureElmes]

Holy sh** what an explore! Absolutely terrifying not knowing the source of the noise before the end. Thanks for looking down these things so I don't have too.😁

[@10p6]

"Coming soon, a new TV Show, staring Martin as investigator Agent Bibs, in KDIS (Knee Deep in Shit.)"

[@joinedupjon]

This made me want to wash my hands & I was just watching it. Looks like some fairly recently added equipment or detector of some sort 10:56 & 12:34 which wasn't on substormflow's website - I think the wiring for it is seen going off towards the surface at 10:27

[@simonkirkbright5197]

@ 2:10 the technical description is an "Egg" shaped sewer.The pipe is narrow at the bottom to keep the "liquid" flowing during low water levels in order to keep moving the solids along. At peak flows, as the water level rises, the pipe widens to allow a greater flow through.

[@briangarrow448]

As a retired wastewater treatment plant and pump station mechanic, I approve of this video. I've crawled down many a pipe, looking for breaks and loose bricks. Never an enjoyable project for us workers. We always wore gas detectors and had huge fans blowing fresh air into the work area. Hydrogen Sulfide is nothing to be lax about! Be safe people! We all deserve to come home after work.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Brian. that job sounds harsh but interesting

[@GilbertTV]

love the engineering .. all that brickwork so perfectly round ..

[@MartinZero]

Yeah it was incredible

[@andrewj4241]

What a fascinating journey incredible

[@BestUserNameUK]

The engineering that went into building those tunnels is awe inspiring. I wonder how they did it?.. It would be a challenge even today with all our technology & modern machinery. Also get yourself a proper respirator, a dust mask is useless for gas👍🏻

[@MartinZero]

Yeah incredible. Loved the Brickwork would love to have see them build it

[@calebfuller4713]

When it came to architecture and engineering, the Victorians certainly didn't half-arse anything, did they! I noted the use of rounded bricks on the edge of the tunnel at places like 8:15...

[@amacca2085]

Zero Sunday’s 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@MartinZero]

😃👍

[@paulblatchfordplymouth]

Thought I was having an NDE(near death experience) going through that tunnel!😂

[@timstephenson4520]

fantastic piece of Victorian engineering, built to last.

[@MartinZero]

Yeah it was brilliant Tim

[@jenratcliffe7232]

Am oddly fascinated with CSO's and culverts etc. That and the bell shaped overflows in reservoirs eg Ladybower. It's sort of a fear / fascination thing for me. I'm also mildly phobic of swimming pools (heaters and pumps give me the heebie jeebies) but am absolutely fine with the sea having being brought up by the sea!

[@ianlainchbury]

Great video as usual. And... very important disclaimer. Foul air is a killer.

[@nickelmickel4170]

Cheers for taking us in lads.better you two than me.

[@KarenG.-qs7wc]

Have you explored the Megatron in Sheffield?

[@MartinZero]

No karen. But ive seen videos of it

[@bobjerome5390]

HI i bet they put up a gate grill very soon to keep you lot out all the things like this are grilled in my town there is 3 big pipes all got gates on to make them safe i love the video see how long before they get a team down there to block it of

[@whiskeycook3323]

I am amazed at the labor put into using bricks in all the tunnels and some canals

[@kevingreenlow1403]

Great Video Martin, The build up to it was really spooky! the sound from the rush of water wanted me see what it was very quickly! Turns out to be the sewers, however, still fascinating, your talents are wasted, I could see you directing a mystery movie! Please keep the vids coming, Kevin ( a loyal subscriber)

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Kevin, yeah it was a fascinating place

[@sharonstuebi8181]

I adore you Martin! Was belly laughing with your explanation of the Directors Cut. The sound of rushing water . Glad you werent gassed!!!!! Thanks for another edge of the seat pfoduction!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Sharon. Yeah perfect setting for some Sci Fi 😃

[@dchalkie]

Would not have gone in there without gloves and long sleeves ! I hope you washed your hands before touching your face Martin 😳 spooky 👍

[@MartinZero]

No need to wash my hands Dave. I had taken a bath that morning. So I was proper fresh. I will wash them this coming Sunday in the bath again. So its all good 😀

[@rogerbarton497]

That mechanism at the ladder looked like a sluice so they could divert the sewer into the Medlock if they needed to work on the sewer downstream of the sluice. Apart from the poisonous nature of the gasses, they are explosive too, so any electrical stuff you take down there has to be designed for that environment. I believe they're known as "intrinsically safe".

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Roger, I thoroughly enjoyed that sewer

[@nicklowe536]

Amazing video there are some sewers in Manchester and Liverpool that look like. Cathedrals with the vaulted. Ceilings and brickwork fantastic editors cut hope there are more to come

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Nick. yeah they are great places. If not stinky

[@bobingram6912]

Thought I was watching an episode of Time Tunnel for a minute then someone turned the Christmas lights on 😎 Like the subtle link of the Mole 👍 As usual Martin you go that extra distance to satisfy your curiosity and bring us sights we would never normally see - like the turd rapids!!!!! 💩

[@Ultravore]

wow.... I wonder how long it took to build such a tunnel out of bricks. fascinating stuff.

[@MartinZero]

Be great to have seen them building it

[@DogSerious]

What's happened to the video that you filmed on the roof of the Manchester College?

[@MartinZero]

Temporarily taken down

[@debbiepitcher9806]

Great loved it, A* again even the wired stuff at the end 😂😂🤣😂 thanks glad it’s not smell a vision.😁😁😁

[@suzysharpe2141]

Martin...that was Great !! Your curiosity knows no bounds, I don't know how you have the courage to go into some of these tunnels and drains etc. ! Thanks Martin !! Thoroughly enjoyed that !😁😁.

[@10wanderer]

The Brickwork in these Tunnels / Drains is high quality workmanship . must have taken a a age to build them .

[@Dan23_7]

That tunnel is absolutely beautiful mate I can't emphasise how much I appreciate stuff like this

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Dan, yes I know what you mean it was awesome

[@jcramond73]

Impressive workmanship on the brickwork.

[@MartinZero]

Yeah I loved it

[@ArcAudios77]

Brave indeed, well done Martin & Charlie. Regards

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much

[@anneforster510]

Never thought I'd find looking at a sewer so interesting Martin but you make it so . That brickwork is brilliant, such precision. I do worry about you going in those drains relieved to hear you're not making a habit out of it.😂💩💩💩💩💩💩

[@MerciaMoto]

Absolutely awesome video as ever Martin, loved the ‘Directors Cut’ and the music was superb! 👍🏻

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much David

[@rjmun580]

With the roar in the tunnel I thought you'd found the short cut to the Bakerloo Line.

[@carolinegray3150]

And to the other man too well done

[@SuperEmpirical]

Did you ever find out what that crest is that we got a glimpse of right at the beginning?

[@MartinZero]

Its definitely the Manchester coats of arms. I reckon its a bridge number marker

[@EliteAmmunition]

Love the old iron works. Although you should have had a respirator on, that 3M mask won't do shit for you. End up with a victorian disease from exploring victorian drains.

[@siypic]

Appropriate........... picture of the mole from the pod in Thunderbird 2 as your screensaver..

[@DelTangBrav]

Martin you obviously grew up in the Manchester area - didn't your mother tell you not to go in tunnels like that because "Daddy Green Teeth" lived in them? My mother and all the other kid's mothers did - we'd approach one cautiously until one of us shouted "Daddy Green Teeths coming!" Then run away as fast as we could, some of the softies and most of the girls would actually scream, most of my friends had actually seen him, although I never did but said I had, not wanting to be left out, so it must be true. Other areas had differently named monsters lurking in their tunnels and other places we hadn't to go.

[@ExploringwithCarl]

Fantastic work as always. Thanks Martin for taking us on this explore.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Carl

[@ExploringwithCarl]

@@MartinZero Your welcome mate. Just shared this to my mate in his messinger 😁👍

[@dennislancet]

Thanks for being brave & entering Martin, the bricklayers that built that tunnel were good at the job.

[@exploringwithAshB]

Martin that was amazing m8

[@richardjohn7991]

Martin .You thought it was a normal storm drain.But like everyone knows.SHIT HAPPENS??

[@Shrimpmann]

13:38 you can see the pigeon from last time returning home

[@MartinZero]

Yeah 👍😃

[@markworthington3893]

Martin I can only imagine the smell 🤮you do put yourself through it, and your saying people go down drains for fun 🤷‍♂️

[@MartinZero]

It was fab Mark

[@colwichjunction3366]

Quite daunting heading in there with all that water sound..... Nice vid despite all the sh1t! Cheers John B 😷

[@ww2wendal34]

We've said it before, but Martin you are nailing this. Absolutely what KZbin is made for. Congratulations again.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much guys really appreciate that

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Martin, omg that was awesome how you lit the tunnel up and the special effects. Thank you for sharing and I loved the directors cut, brilliant. x

[@genesis070365]

Fascinating!! But also amazing. How the world has changed. Having worked in Builders Merchants most of my life, that must of been some brick order!! 😉

[@ianwinterbottom5995]

Nice one,Martin! Have not heard of the Medlock before, though I was brought up in Medway Rd, Shaw. All the streets and lots of the Mills are named after rivers round that way. Matter of fact I worked at the Wye, which is now a housing estate!

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Ian. yeah the Medlock starts neat Oldham

[@Tez73]

Tell you what Martin you’ve got some bottle to do that pal The noise just got louder as you went on Could not believe how long it was . Thanks for sharing

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Terry, to be honest I loved it

[@ghilliedhu6793]

Brampton Ontario, circa 1976/77, near the tobboggan runs off McMurchy ave. We found an underground world, access to the whole city... A little less concrete and more brick in yours but thank you for the memory.

[@tommoran1301]

On holiday in sunny Tenerife waiting to see if my Sunday can get better and it has 👍🏻

[@36chambers.jake.87]

Tom Moran If you are in Tenerife, make sure to check out the abandoned Leper Colony.

[@tommoran1301]

Wish I would of knew about them sooner it’s my last day tomorrow and a mid day flight 😏

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Tom 👍😃

[@kevinmcevilly4130]

bloody hell ,its the river of no return!

[@MartinZero]

It actually is. It drops down a flume into an abyss

[@mjh5437]

Mindblowing to think of all those millions of bricks being laid one by one by hand....Those old guys sure grafted.

[@gilles111]

Nice! Question, did you film the last River Medlock episode already? About the part at the other side of Bridgewatercanal / Potato Wharf towards the river Irwell? Isn't a very long part of the river but still River Medlock. And when I'm right there is a sifon / stormdrain at the other side of the canal too. Where water out of the Bridgewatercanal flows into the Medlock. Google Maps link: www.google.nl/maps/place/Manchester,+Verenigd+Koninkrijk/@53.4758049,-2.2582684,181a,35y,270.05h/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x487a4d4c5226f5db:0xd9be143804fe6baa!8m2!3d53.4807593!4d-2.2426305

[@achillesStar]

Thought I was watching another Alien sequel, where's Sigourney Weaver!

[@MartinZero]

Thats how I felt 😀

[@lindamccaughey8800]

That was fantastic. Just love the brickwork they were incredibly clever back then

[@MartinZero]

Yes the Brickwork made it for me

[@MrJtappin]

Surprised the stink wasn't enough to tell you what it was... Hope you washed your hands before your sandwiches 😊

[@Gappasaurus]

What was the intermittent beeping in the early part of the tunnel, if not the gas detector? 🤔

[@MartinZero]

Me swearing 😃

[@Gappasaurus]

@Martin Zero 😂🤣😂🤣 brilliant!

[@Raffles666]

top video again mate - thanks again for showing this old disabled Mancunian the places I can't see for myself :) #topgeeza

[@davidberlanny3308]

Really enjoyed this one. I don't want to imagine the smell mind!! When we get time machines working I'm going back to the Victorian age to open a brick factory!!

[@NOWThatsRichy]

You wouldn't get me going down that one! 💩💩Even so fabulous craftsmanship in the brickwork, glad you survived!

[@captainkirk1]

The arrow pointing to the secret trap door in the canal have you found any more because I found one but it's not on a canal it's on a pathway that could of been a canal in the past now it's a road in a town centre.

[@Theoobovril]

Walking along storm drains, can't think of anything more boring to see...But it doesn't actually turn out like that does it ?... because you're going to experience something that normally you would never ever get to see....Mysteries of our hidden underground world, guaranteed to always be of interest, to see, in the end what ever it is...down there.

[@paulholland6301]

Well done Martin Another great video. Still think you should walk the river tib culvert. Like something out of war of the worlds at the end.

[@graculuslurcher380]

Phew Martin, what a stinky video, but superb non the less. PS what does wifey think about your escapades ?

[@ponyboymb]

Geezzz dude, I'd of took some shrooms if I'd of know yer were taking that Angle on the end 😳😳😳🤯🤯 another wicked video fella. I guess u liked Donnie Darko 🤘🤘🔥🔥